Leonardo would have loved to spend the rest of his day locked in his room, away from the uncomfortable atmosphere saturating the lair. But Leo realized sulking in his room would only prove Splinter right, that his relationship with Don would hinder his ability to lead and cause rifts within the family. So instead of the sweet sanctuary of his room, Leo placed himself where anyone walking in the lair would see him, firmly on the couch. Leo stared at the blank screen of the television for awhile, before dazedly reaching for the remote and changing the channels. Upon Mikey's return from bringing Don to April's, Splinter had summoned Mike and Raph into his room. As Leo watched the images flash by in a blur of colors on the screen, he prayed that his brothers would keep quiet about knowing about him and Don. If Splinter found out he had lied….

The door to Splinter's room opened and his brothers exited. Leo noticed Splinter stayed behind as Raph softly closed the door behind him. Mikey quickly made his way to the couch, flopping beside Leo. Leo could feel his younger brother's eyes on him and turned to see a familiar look on Mikey's face. The look Mikey usually gave before he had to break bad news that really really wasn't his fault.

"What happened, Mikey?" Leo asked bluntly. Mike hesitated. Leo's voice sounded dead, so emotionless that Mike dreaded telling him about his talk with Splinter.

"He told us, bro" Mike began softly, "and we didn't say a word about knowing, not even Raph!" Mike tried to sound optimistic but Leo just nodded once and returned his gaze to the television. Mike glanced back at Raph, who was pacing behind the couch with his arms folded, and realized he'd be receiving no help from his red banded brother. Mike looked back at Leo, trying to bury himself further in the couch. Maybe he'd get lucky and the couch could just suck him up right then and there and he wouldn't have to tell Leo that—

"How'd he find out, Mike?"

Mikey flinched at Leo's guess.

"I…I don't know, Leo. I guess we didn't seem as shocked as we should have been. And you know when Splinter gives you that look, as if his eyes are seeing right into the very depths of your soul…" Mike's voice trailed off. Leo's face looked stricken, even if his eyes did remain on the screen.

"He….wants us to be there for the both of you but…he seemed pretty upset about you lying. He thinks this is bad for the family, you know?"

"And we have to act like your damn babysitters," Raph growled. Mike quickly leapt from the couch, glancing from Leo to Raph.

"I think I better go and uh feed Klunk or er make a pizza or something…"

Raph watched Mike disappear from the room in a flash of green and orange. He grunted, staring at the back of Leo's head.

"Look at you Fearless. The great Leonardo, no longer daddy's favorite son all because you were fucking your baby bro."

Raph watched Leo stiffen and shook his head.

"Mikey says you guys love each other…more than bros. I don't really care what yas do in your bedrooms but did ya have to tell Splinter? Hell, ya had to tell me? Now Don's been sent away, Mikey's trying to take over your responsibilities and protect everybody and I'm acting as your goddamn personal bodyguard!"

Raph felt his blood boiling. Leo continued to just sit on the couch, flipping through the channels as he stiffly refused to turn and face Raphael. Raph growled and moved fast, roughly grabbing Leo's shoulder and turning him around. Leo didn't see the punch coming, lost in his thoughts and trying not to let Raph's words hurt, Leo still found himself hurting and sprawled on the floor, the remote flying from his hand and falling to the floor with a clang. He glared up at Raph, rubbing his jaw.

"If you hate me so much for loving Don, why didn't you tell Splinter about Mikey knowing and telling you about us?" His voice was low and threatening and Raph realized Leo had a lot of anger and frustration he was holding inside. If he pushed Leo hard enough, Raph would have a tough fight on his hands. Part of Raph really wanted to goad Leo into that fight. It might help Raph deal with his own confusion and frustration with the situation. But that little part inside Raph, the part he hated and tried to ignore when it wanted him to be all mushy and understanding, was screaming at him that this would only make things worse for a brother already hurting more than Raph could understand…and that by hurting Leo he'd also hurt Don in the process. When he found out that is.

"I ain't a squealer," Raph said gruffly, looking away from Leo to gaze at the floor, "and I knew it'd only get Mikey in trouble," he hesitated, "This just ain't natural, Leo, you and Don…but Mikey says you really love each other. Somethin' I guess I won't ever understand. And I know you're hurting and all 'cause of Splinter not accepting yas…" Raph rubbed the back of his neck, walking to his brother and holding out his hand.

"Like I told Mike before, I'm not goin' to get comfortable with this real soon. But you're my bros and I love yas no matter what crazy shit you get yourselves into. So…I promise I won't punch ya anymore," he grinned ruefully, "not over this anyway."

Leo blinked. He had gotten himself all geared up, ready for a bloody bruising fight with his brother, a way to let everything he felt building inside out. But at Raph's last words Leo felt all of it melting away, leaving him exhausted. Leo sighed, grabbing Raph's hand and letting his brother pull him up. Leo made a move to hug him but Raph quickly moved away.

"And no touchin'," he snapped, "it's just…weird at the moment."

Leo stared at him with wide eyes, then nodded.

"Ok, Raph." His voice sounded hollow even to Raph as he watched Leo return to his spot on the couch. He stared at the screen, ignoring the remote on the floor and Raph just shook his head and started to walk away.

"And thanks. For not telling Splinter."

Raph stopped in his tracks and turned towards his brother, but was only greeted with the sight of Leo staring at the TV. Like he never spoke at all, Raph thought heading to the dojo. He had a date with a punching bag…

>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

Mike felt himself breath again as Raph headed to the dojo. Silently, he slipped from the kitchen, picking the remote off the floor and once again joining Leo on the couch. Leo ignored Mike as he sprawled out, laying his head in his older brother's lap. Mike grinned goofily up at his brother but the grin soon vanished as Leo made no move that he noticed.

"Geez, you'd think I killed your puppy or something'" Mike pouted, beginning to change the channels. Leo sighed and gently rubbed the top of Mike's head. Mike couldn't help a smile creep onto his face.

"I'm sorry, Mike. I'm not mad at you. It's just this whole day so far has been…too much."

Mike nodded, returning to look up at his brother. Leo's jaw was turning a purple color that contrasted greatly to his green skin. As Leo looked down to meet Mike's gaze, he found himself reminded of the position he had awoken with Don the day before and his stomach clenched.

"I'm really grateful to you, Mikey. For everything you've done for me…I never should have asked you to keep our secret…or help us out. I've been burdening you with my responsibilities. Sensei was right about some things--"

"Stop!" Mike's cry surprised Leo and he discovered Mike was glaring at him.

"Just stop it, Leo ok? The whole 'poor Mikey with too much responsibility'

speech ends now. I'm not a kid, Leo, I don't spend my whole day skateboarding and stuffing my face with junk food like I used to, or didn't u notice?"

Leo blinked. His brother had kept his quirky tendencies over the years. Mikey was Mikey after all. But his little brother definitely wasn't the carefree, no work teenager he used to be. They'd been through too much over the years.

"Sorry, Mike," Leo smiled apologetically, "I guess I'm not used to thinking of my baby bro as all grown up."

Mike wrinkled his beak at the 'baby bro' term but nodded, accepting the apology.

"So, do you want to know how things really went at April's or what?"

Leo froze.

"Tell me, Mike," he said seriously. Mike grew solemn.

"I won't lie to you, Leo, Don was pretty upset. We took the long way to April's so he could calm down a bit before showing up. Then we got there and well….explained everything right away."

"How'd they take it?" Leo held his breath.

"Um, well…they were fine with Don staying. But they also agreed that it'd be good for the two of you not to see each other. April was a lot cooler than Casey about the whole thing, which isn't really a surprise considering he and Raph are like the same per-" Mike sputtered at Leo's glare, "sorry off topic…anyway, they think you're just confused. You know, feeling lonely, experimenting as you get older and stuff. They think once you spend time apart you'll realize it was just for fun and…end it."

The disappointment showed in Leo's eyes for only a moment before he regained his composure. Leo turned his gaze to the TV, patting Mike's head in thanks.

"Ok, Mike. Thanks for telling me."

Mike sat up, realizing Leo probably wanted to be alone. Then he brightened.

"You know, Leo, I can help you see Don."

Leo's gaze snapped to Mike instantly.

"What are you talking about?" he demanded. Mike's eyes turned devious.

"Well," he began, "not right away of course. We'd have to wait a few days. And now that Sensei knows me and Raph knew he's probably not going to trust us watching you topside for awhile. But when he does let us go with you, I'll go with you one night and we can arrange to meet Don. I'll take care of April and Case too. I have time to come up with a plan. Who knows? In a few days Raph might be willing to help…"

Leo's face beamed and Mike felt a thrill of happiness. He loved being able to cheer his brothers up.

"You mean it, Mike? I couldn't ask you to do more than you already have for us, and you could get into real trouble with Splinter--"

Mike held up a hand silencing him.

"No problem, Leo bro. I'm offering. You think on it and I'll start planning."

Without another word, Mike bounded towards his room, reveling in the hope radiating from his brother's sitting form.

>> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

Leo had not spoken to his father since the morning. Not replying to his idle chatter during lunch and letting Mikey break the crushing silence at dinner, it was only when his father requested Leonardo help him get ready for bed that Leo allowed himself to speak civilly to his sensei. Never did he bring up Don, only asked questions about their training and worries he had about his father's health. He was just covering Splinter with his blankets when the old rat reached out and squeezed Leo's hand forcing him to look him in the face.

"I pray the hate you feel towards me at this moment will not last, my son. It hurts me to see you in such pain."

Leo frowned.

"I don't hate you, father," he paused, "but I do disagree with you."

Splinter nodded.

"I know, my son."

There was a brief silence. Splinter closed his eyes and Leo thought maybe he had gone to sleep, but as he tried to remove his hand from his father's grip his eyes opened again.

"I was disturbed to learn of Raphael and Michelangelo's knowledge of your relationship. Even more disheartened to learn of Michelangelo's knowledge from the start."

"Do not be angry with him, Sensei. He was only trying to be a good brother, as was Raphael. They were only trying to protect us."

"And that does make me proud, Leonardo," Splinter's voice seemed to grow stronger, "the bonds in our family are tight. One of you would gladly die for the other. That is why I am worried about something more developing between any two of you. I am afraid of a shift in that balance, afraid of one of you being more willing to help one than the others."

Splinter grew silent again and when he returned his stern eyes to Leonardo, Leo dreaded his next words.

"I must speak truthfully with you, Leonardo, or I fear you will never understand my actions," he paused, "learning of Michelangelo and Raphael's knowledge only strengthened my resolve that your relationship with Donatello will not be good for this family. Already you have encouraged secrets and lies for your own well being, something I never would have expected from one of my sons. Especially you."

Leo looked away.

"What will you have one of your brother's lie about next if you feel it is necessary? It is the beginning of something that will not end well for our family," Leo tried to speak but Splinter shook his head, "tonight just listen, my son. Listen and think on my words."

He let go of Leo's hand and closed his eyes, turning his head away.

"Stay with me until I fall asleep, Leonardo, and meditate on what I have said. I have confidence that you and Donatello will come to see the truth in my words."

Leonardo arranged himself in a meditation pose near his master's bed. Closing his eyes, Leo listened to his father's raspy breath, at first obedient and thinking on his Sensei's reasoning, Leo soon found his mind wandering to Donatello. A delightful thrill ran through his body at the small act of rebellion. No matter how hard he tried, Splinter could never control Leo's dreams…